Carl Funk's new single Trouble from the cd Black Horizon features Carl Funk on Guitars and Vocals, Ben on Drums, Gary Shelton on Bass, Casey Westcott on Keys and Pump Organ, Ruthie Dornfield on Violin, and Bruce Hazen on Electric Guitar. https://vimeo.com/216729226

A Message from Ben

Going into a recording studio can feel scary. I can identify with anyone who is unsure about how to approach recording their own music, wondering what will happen. The fear and confusion that surrounds getting the process started can be overwhelming. My early recording career was filled with questions about songwriting, figuring out which musical parts to play, and ultimately wondering how to communicate it all.

Now, with almost forty years in the music business, I take the uncertainty out of the process using my depth of experience to help you get what works for your music. Getting a recording done well, or a performing act off the ground, is manageable and I am here to help you make it happen.

With the many artists I have worked with I have learned that staying positive, and providing a strong foundation with a fun spark, has everything to do with whether a studio project ends up being a good experience. I offer guidance, suggestions, and production ideas as needed, with candid, respectful feedback to help define what you want to achieve, and how to get there.

The process begins by meeting to talk with you about your vision and goals, then taking the steps one at a time to make them happen. Recording at Ben Smith Studio in Seattle is exciting and fun! Join me in the studio to share in the experience of inspiration that I feel every day. Music=Love!!!

Please listen to new tracks Ben produced for Dimestore Prophets, drums for Maximillian Keene, and some TV cues recently recorded for AMC.

I have worked with the best of the best and Ben Smith is at the very top of that list. Total professionalism. Amazing skill. Passion that flies off the stage and into your heart. I feel so fortunate that he is in the Heart family.

Ben Smith has been a very important part of my personal and musical life for many years. He is hands down my favorite drummer to play with, record and mix. His dynamic style and consistency is unmatched both live and in the studio.

Ben also gets a very rich tone from his personal drum tracking room… He recently delivered me a full drum track for an original song that needed no tweaking at all. The sound quality and mix was perfect.

Ben Smith I have known since back in the old days, he was drumming with Seattle Pure Dynamite – a local funk band.

His expertise as a young adult was incredible – His meter was perfect!!! —- That alone got my attention. His playing “way” surpassed other drummers whom I had worked up to at that time. The sound of his drums was intense and he hit those drums with authority.

I would say the term Dynamite explains Ben Smith as a person and a player and someone that is such a stand out from most drummers I have ever worked with in my 41 years of this business. He KICKS ASS !!!!